Mike Tomlin Officially Prepares For Aaron Rodgers & Signs Jets Star to Boost Steelers Defense

4 min read

In Michael Scott’s voice from The Office, “Oh my god, it’s happening, everybody stay calm.” Aaron Rodgers could really be slowly edging towards a sensational move to Pittsburgh. I mean it’s not yet confirmed. But the latest Steelers signing suggests otherwise. Make no mistake—this signing has Aaron Rodgers shade written all over it. Remember how Rodgers brought Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard, and Davante Adams to New York when he moved to the Big Apple. Well, it might be happening again, giving us Deja Vu, to say the least.

Here’s the thing: The Steelers have just confirmed the signing of former Jets CB Brandin Echols on a two-year contract. So, having played with Rodgers last season. Maybe it was him who suggested the Steelers to wrap up Echols’ deal before they sent a Jet to him. Or probably we are just daydreaming. Because it may very well be a move that Echols has deservedly earned.

Making it official @matayo_echols pic.twitter.com/Kpl0ZLdS8X

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) March 13, 2025

Since getting picked by the Jets in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft, Echols has been a constant presence in the Jets secondary. Playing as an outside cornerback, his quick feet and capability to judge the flight of the ball is almost second to none. I mean, just look at his numbers from last season. 40 total tackles, a fumble recovery and two interceptions playing just 35% of the Jets defensive snaps. Pretty impressive, right? And if you look at his whole career, Echols has 5 INTs and 16 passes deflected in 4 seasons with the Jets.

But the question is, where will he fit in the Steelers secondary that also brought in Super Bowl winner Darius Slay a few days ago. Maybe it will be him and Slay sharing the cornerback spot. Or Echols could just be a backup signing for Slay who only signed a one-year deal. Who knows, anything could happen with Echols. Only time will tell how Tomlin will use him in the Steelers’ second, which was clearly a big priority for Pittsburgh this season.

And you know what else is the priority right now? A quarterback. Justin Fields is off to Echols’ former club. Russell Wilson? Well, he is busy visiting the Browns and the Giants because his future in Steel City isn’t looking good. Why? Because of a 4-time NFL MVP who was supposed to retire but probably will not.

Is Aaron Rodgers gearing up for one last hurrah?

Aaron Rodgers is fresh off an early divorce with the Jets. In what was supposed to be another golden chapter in Rodgers’ Hall of Fame career, it tarnished some of his legacy. I mean the Jets saw him as their Tom Brady, who led the Bucs to a Super Bowl after hitting 40. But all they got was a Rodgers who didn’t have his flair anymore. Despite his clear regression, the Steelers still made an offer to Rodgers, as per Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac. However, they are still waiting for a response. Why? Because Rodgers is still pondering whether to come back for another season or that was it. Like a few days ago, the Daily Mail captured Rodgers walking on a beach in Malibu.

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers walks on the field after the game against the Miami Dolphins where he threw his 500th touchdown pass in his 20-year career in the final week of the NFL, American Football Herren, USA regular season at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday, January 5, 2025. The Jets defeated the Dolphins 32- 20 and finish the season with 5 wins and 12 losses. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY NYP20250105113 JOHNxANGELILLO

With earphones on and a face that didn’t have a smile, it looked like another darkness retreat for Rodgers. So, in an update from Dulac, he said the Steelers could pivot back to Wilson if Rodgers doesn’t respond soon enough. This means the ball is on Aaron Rodgers’ court. And it’s up to him whether to go for another season in a completely new environment.

Or walk away with failure on his resume. Like for sure Rodgers wouldn’t want that to happen. He is far too great to allow a Jets chapter to take away his 18 glorious years in Green Bay. Who knows maybe he could end his career on a high note, clad in black and gold. And if he does, then alarm bells should definitely be ringing for Fields who could be the next victim of Jets QB curse. In Goldberg’s voice, “Justin Fields you’re next,”—mic drop.

 

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